Cape Town summer program blends dance, movement, service learning

by Beth Stefanik, Reves Center for International Studies
|
August 10, 2012

For Leah Glenn, associate professor of dance at the College of William & Mary,
taking on the role of program director of the College’s summer program in Cape
Town, South Africa, meant creating an experience that blended classroom
instruction with dance, movement and service learning. Not only would her 16 William
& Mary students study how post-apartheid South Africa is working to combat
racial, ethnic, economic and political disparity, but they would experience it
as well.

“Movement is
a universal means of communication, and dance and music are an integral part of
African culture,” said Glenn. “Also, there are many similarities between the
American Civil Rights Movement and South African apartheid, and I am intrigued
by how the arts -- dance in particular -- have been used as an empowering tool
in the quest for social and political change.”

To help
William & Mary students explore these similarities, Glenn offered an African-American
and South African Movement Exchange course that focused on African-American and
South African modern dance pioneers, and the historical, social and political
issues that have and continue to influence their choreography. In addition,
students enrolled in a service-learning course that enabled them to work as English,
math and computer tutors, or dance teachers, to 11- and-12-year-olds in
Khayelitsha, Cape Town’s largest township.

“What really
struck me about the Cape Town 2012 program was the blending of dance with the
service learning aspect of the program,” said Lauren Coble ’14. “Being able to
use art as a tool to teach kids is so powerful. Art can be used to change the
mindsets of these young kids and give them an outlet to express their feelings
and voice their stories.”

In addition
to their classroom and Khayelitsha work, the W&M students also participated
in group tours of locations such as Robben Island, the site of Nelson Mandela's
imprisonment, Table Mountain, Cape Point and museums and historic sites in and
around Cape Town. They also were able to take workshops with the Jazzart Dance Theatre
and view a number of local dance and musical performances.

“We have
gone from exploring the city center to working with an amazing group of kids in
the townships. I have loved getting a taste of everything Cape Town has to
offer,” said Diana Villarreal ’13. “Through all of those experiences, this
study abroad program has been one of the most influential experiences of my
life.”

As part of their program, William & Mary students worked with Glenn to host
a Community Festival in July. The Festival gave the Khayelitsha students the
opportunity to showcase what they learned, and perform for their local
community. In addition to dancing, the children also wrote poems and made a
mural for the event.

“The
Community Festival was an opportunity for the kids to showcase their skills and
talents,” said Lemondre Watson ’13. “It gave them a chance to show what they
can do individually, but also celebrate their collective talents and the
diversity within their community.”

Yet despite
all that they experienced and accomplished, simply watching the interactions
between the William & Mary and Khayelitsha students was perhaps Glenn’s
favorite part of the program.

“One of the
most rewarding experiences was teaching modern dance and watching the South
African students teach William & Mary students gum boot dancing, while one
of our students demonstrated step dance, a derivative of gum boot dance
practiced by African American fraternities and sororities,” said Glenn. “This
kind of exchange is invaluable. It opens the doors to verbal discourse, a
clearer understanding of the unknown and opportunities to build lasting
friendships.”